Want to see how Rose Parade floats come to life? Decorating Places lets you watch teams transform steel frames into stunning floral masterpieces. This is your chance to see the magic happen before parade day.
Volunteers and professionals work for days to cover each float with millions of flowers, seeds, and natural materials. You can walk around and watch them place every petal by hand. It’s a completely different experience from watching the parade itself.
What Are Rose Parade Decorating Places?
Decorating Places is the official behind-the-scenes event run by the Tournament of Roses. The venue opens a few days before the parade so you can see floats being finished.
Each float needs thousands of fresh flowers. Workers use roses, carnations, orchids, and dozens of other varieties. They also add texture with seeds, bark, leaves, and grasses. Every single piece gets glued on by hand.
You’ll see people working at different speeds on different floats. Some might be almost done while others still have bare spots. The energy in the room is electric. People travel from all over to help decorate their favorite floats year after year.
The setup is casual. You can take your time walking around and checking out the details. Bring your camera because the floats look incredible up close.
2026 Decorating Places Dates & Schedule
Here’s when you can visit:
| Date | Opening Hours | Last Entry |
|---|---|---|
| December 28, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| December 29, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| December 30, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| December 31, 2025 | Closed to Public | – |
Your ticket has a specific entry time. This keeps crowds manageable so everyone gets a good view. Plan to spend about 90 minutes to two hours there.
Location & Venue Information
Rosemont Pavilion
700 Seco Street
Pasadena, CA 91103
Everything happens at this one location. The Irwindale site stays closed to the public. Rosemont Pavilion sits near the Rose Bowl with easy access and parking nearby.
Ticket Prices & How to Buy
Tickets cost $21.50 per person. Kids 5 and under get in free.
You must buy tickets online at sharpseating.com before you go. Sharp Seating is the official ticket seller for the Tournament of Roses. They don’t sell tickets at the door. No cash or cards work onsite.
Time slots fill up fast. Buy your tickets early to get the day and time you want.
Parking & Transportation
Free parking is available near Rosemont Pavilion and Jackie Robinson Baseball Field. Spots fill up on a first-come basis. Get there early for the best parking.
Rideshare Drop-Off: Uber and Lyft use Parking Lot H. Look for signs when you arrive. The spot might change if it rains.
Public Transit: Metro Gold Line (L Line), Metro Bus, and Pasadena ARTS Bus all run to the area. Check metro.net for routes and times from your location.
Clear Bag Policy
The Tournament of Roses requires clear bags at all events. Security moves faster and everyone stays safer this way.
Bring:
- Clear plastic or vinyl bags
- Small clutch (4.5″ x 6.5″ or smaller)
- Clear one-gallon storage bags
Leave home:
- Regular purses
- Backpacks
- Tote bags
- Non-clear diaper bags
Check the Tournament of Roses website for the complete list of what’s allowed.
What to Expect at Decorating Places
Walk in and you’ll see floats everywhere in different stages. Some look almost ready while others show bare frames waiting for flowers.
Decorators use every natural material you can imagine. Fresh roses are the star but you’ll also spot carnations, orchids, seeds, coffee beans, bark, leaves, and dried grasses. The detail work is mind-blowing. Some sections use thousands of tiny seeds just to create shading.
You can circle around the floats and see them from all sides. Barriers keep you back a bit but you still get close enough to appreciate the craftsmanship. Take lots of photos. The lighting works well inside the pavilion.
Food trucks park in Lot I at the Rose Bowl. You can grab snacks or a full meal. Restrooms and accessible facilities are onsite.
Tips for Your Visit
December 28 mornings are usually less crowded. The last day (December 30) gets packed in the late afternoon since it’s the final chance to see the floats.
Pasadena weather is mild in late December but nights get cool. Wear layers and comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking and standing quite a bit.
The decorators are working against tight deadlines. Watch and take photos but don’t interrupt them. They appreciate your interest but need to stay focused.
Traffic picks up around the Rose Bowl during this time. Leave extra time to get there so you don’t miss your entry window.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Online only through Sharp Seating. Zero ticket sales at the venue.
Most people spend 90 minutes to two hours looking at everything.
Yes but it might be easier to use a baby carrier since crowds can get thick.
Yes. Call Sharp Seating ahead of time if you need special accommodations.
No. Barriers keep everyone at a safe distance. The flowers and decorations are delicate.
The event happens rain or shine. The pavilion keeps you dry.
Other Rose Parade Events
Sharp Seating sells tickets for other parade week events too.
Bandfest showcases marching bands at Pasadena City College. Equestfest lets you meet the horses and riders at the LA Equestrian Center. Post-Parade Viewing on January 2-3 gives you another shot at seeing the floats after they finish the route.
The actual Rose Parade rolls down Colorado Boulevard on January 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM.
Decorating Places gives you a view of the Rose Parade that most people never see. You’ll understand how much work goes into each float and appreciate the artistry even more. Get your tickets at sharpseating.com and see the magic happen before parade day.